Mural Descriptions

Featured Mural - Threshing Grain
"Threshing Grain" was painted by Richard H. Jansen in 1938.
The mural measures 14' wide by 4'6" high with a total approximate area of 63 square
feet. Jansen used the medium oil on canvas, and completed the mural in 232 calendar
days. Postmaster J.F. Seagle announced in the
Lincoln County News the mural's placement in the west end of the building and
its depiction of a rural Lincoln County's scene.

On Wednesday, August 10, 2005, the Lincoln County Historical Association, U.S. Postal
Service, and members of Lincoln County's arts and cultural community gathered at the
Lincolnton Post Office to rededicate the "Threshing Grain" mural painted by
Richard H. Jansen. The dedication commemorated the artistic merits of the
mural's artist, the conservation efforts of the Association and the numerous
project contributors, and the attendance of the artist's stepson, Henry DeMeritte.
Organizers and participants celebrated the hard work, dedication, and commitment
art, history and preservation exhibited by the Association's staff, board of
directors, and volunteers. Sparked by the interest of an inquisitive Lincolntonian,
the Association successfully preserved for posterity one of nation's most
cherished works of public art.

During 2000, Lincolnton newcomer Mike Ottinger took notice of the faded mural
while standing in line in the Lincolnton Post Office. Participating in Leadership
Lincoln, a joint program between the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce
and Gaston College, Ottinger became very interested in Lincolnton and Lincoln County
history, specifically the post office mural. He contacted museums, libraries, and
family members in Madison, Wisconsin, home of the artist, Virginia, and
Washington, D.C. After three months of extensive research, Ottinger submitted
an article to the Lincoln Times-News outlining the U.S. Postal Service's
New Deal Arts Collection, the mural's subject, a short biography of the artist,
and information on the artist's later works. Lincoln County received Ottinger's
article with open arms, but failed to take the project to the next level:
restoration.

Over the next three years, Mike Ottinger became a very active member of the
Lincoln County Historical Association and discussed the mural and its restoration
with Association executive director Jason L. Harpe. After much discussion and
planning, Harpe contacted Dalan Wordekemper, U.S.P.S. Federal Preservation Officer,
in November 2003 to inquire about the proper steps to begin the process of
restoring the mural to its original state. Wordekemper contacted Doris Reed,
Lincolnton Postmaster, to explain to the project and its significance, and
delegated the leadership of the project to Harpe and Reed. Harpe consulted
with two conservation firms for quotes on the mural's restoration and decided
in favor of Parma Conservation of Chicago, Illinois. After the initial visit
from staff of Parma Conservation, Harpe began the fundraising effort to raise
$6,400 to properly restore the mural. Between January and August 2004, Harpe
and the Association successfully raised the necessary funds. Thanks to a
$3,400 contribution from the U.S.P.S. and contributions from over 20
individuals and businesses in Lincoln County, Parma Conservation
began the restoration in August 2004.
Location: 326 E. Main St
Muralist: Richard H. Jansen

Mural Mention#1 - The Iron Furnace
Joe McKinney painted the mural on the east side of the Lincoln Times-News
building in 2017. This project was supported by the City of Lincolnton,
and spotlights iron production, the first big industry in Lincoln County.
Location: 119 W. Water St
GPS: 35.4702097, -81.2574311
Muralist: Joe McKinney

Mural Mention#2 - Marcia Cloninger Rail Trail Train
Ty Hobson painted the mural on the west side of the Anderson Building in 2015.
This project was supported by a façade grant from the City of Lincolnton, a
grassroots grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, and John Anderson,
the building’s owner. The mural features three train cars spotlighting
textiles and Catawba Valley pottery.
Location: 233 E. Main St
GPS: 35.4718267, -81.2545936
Muralist: Ty Hobson

The Iron Furnace Mural Mention #1

Rail Trail Train Mural Mention #2

Featured Artist Bio: Richard H. Jansen(1910-1998)

"Threshing Grain" was painted by Richard H. Jansen in 1938.
The mural measures 14' wide by 4'6" high with a total approximate area of 63 square
feet. Jansen used the medium oil on canvas, and completed the mural in 232 calendar
days. Jansen painted "Threshing Grain" in his studio in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The
mural was later transported on canvas to Lincolnton by train. The subject matter
has a local theme. In a handwritten letter dated September 18, 1937, Jansen suggested
an agricultural theme "...as I felt I couldn't go wrong, since the town is certainly
bound up with the county around it." Though grain was and still is cultivated in
Lincoln County, one must speculate the wheat grown in Wisconsin and the Great
Plains influenced Jansen's creative process. Jansen received $610 for painting
the Lincolnton mural. On June 9, 1938, Postmaster J.F. Seagle announced in the
Lincoln County News the mural's placement in the west end of the building and
its depiction of a rural Lincoln County's scene.